‘Harrowing reading’: what the inquiry into NZ fugitive father Tom Phillips revealed

1. Agencies overlooked harm Phillips was causing

Over “significant periods”, police and Oranga Tamariki (OT), the ministry for children, “underplayed or overlooked” the harm Phillips was causing before and after he vanished, the inquiry found. They were too slow to identify important information, and the search was launched too late.

Police intentionally adopted “a low-key approach”, the inquiry said. “This strategy appears to have been predicated on the misconceived view that there were no concerns for the children’s welfare.”

Supplied image of Tom Phillips who had hid in New Zealand’s wilderness with his three children for nearly four years. Photograph: New Zealand Police

The inquiry found OT was dismissive of multiple concerns raised by the maternal family after Phillips’ first disappearance, telling the family court the children were “completely fine” and further OT involvement was perhaps not needed.

2. Significant family concerns minimised

Had OT taken into consideration the significant concerns of the children’s mother and two other sisters, they “may have prevented or made more difficult” his second disappearance, the inquiry found.

The sisters, who had lived with their stepfather Phillips for some years, repeatedly raised concerns over his pattern of isolation and harm he caused. The sisters were “uniquely placed” to comment on family dynamics and it was “regrettable the agency did not meet with them.”

CCTV appears to show Tom Phillips and one of his children steeling grocery items from a store. Photograph: NEW ZEALAND POLICE/AFP/Getty Images

The children’s mother, named as Ms Smith, had told OT of Phillips’ controlling behaviour towards her. The inquiry found OT failed to hear her concerns before Phillips disappeared the second time.

She also notified police that Phillips stashed multiple firearms “all over the place” six months before he disappeared. Police questioned her credibility because of a “custody dispute in the background” and did not respond to her allegations.

3. Phillips’ state of mind and beliefs not treated seriously enough

Police built a comprehensive profile of Phillips while investigating his first disappearance.

His alcohol consumption concerned them, and his home was “very dirty”. They formed the view he was controlling and difficult to live with.

A person close to Phillips was concerned that, if cornered, he would turn “violent”. Another told police he had a dislike of government agencies, “meaning anyone that might try to remove his children from him”.

Phillips held anti-vaccination views and had told family he and the children would “just disappear” if there was another Covid lockdown.

Photo released by police shows a campsite where Tom Phillips and his children were hiding. Photograph: NEW ZEALAND POLICE/AFP/Getty Images

A 2021 police report, before his second disappearance, said Phillips was “prepared to put the children’s wellbeing at risk by hiding them” to deny Ms Smith access.

His firearms licence was suspended and police wanted him to access mental health support. But the inquiry saw no evidence that support was explored or provided by police.

The inquiry found police did not adequately share information with OT, and OT should have more carefully considered mental health concerns. Better communication between the two “may have prevented, and would likely have made more difficult” Phillips’ second disappearance.

4. Public sighting a missed opportunity

In May 2023, a woman living near Marokopa, close to the Phillips’ family farm told police a man had approached her house asking to jump start his car.

She described a man fitting Phillips’ profile and said “he smelled … like someone who had not had a shower in a very long time”. She saw children in his car and late called police. A police unit was dispatched but, before it arrived, it was diverted to another incident.

The inquiry found no evidence the police attempted to visit the location of the sighting, or the woman’s home. Police followed up the tip 10 days later.

5. Authorities accept all recommendations

The inquiry made nine recommendations, including urging agencies to better communicate, particularly in cases related to a child’s safety and ensuring gun safety concerns raised by former spouses are “actioned promptly”.

The minister for social development, Louise Upston, apologised to Phillips’ children saying “our agencies did not take all practical steps to protect you”. The government accepted the 41 findings and nine recommendations.

The police commissioner, Richard Chambers, said it was “clear there were gaps” in communication and police should have put more resources into their investigation earlier.

Oranga Tamariki chief executive, Amanda Malu, said the report made for “harrowing reading”. She said the agency was immediately strengthening its checks and procedures.